Amazon workers authorize strikes at four different Southern California warehouses

With just over a week until Christmas, workers at four different Southern California Amazon warehouses may go on strike. 

The decision was made based on claims that the company refuses to recognize their union — The International Brotherhood of Teamsters — and will not negotiate a fair contract. 

As such, the union says that members working in the Palmdale, Victorville, Industry and San Bernardino warehouses have voted to authorize strikes. This comes two days after Amazon ignored a deadline from the union to come to the bargaining table, Teamsters representatives said. 

"The corporate elitists who run Amazon are leaving workers with no choice," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien in a statement. "Greedy executives are pushing thousands of hardworking Americans to the brink. Amazon rakes in more money than anybody, they subject workers to injury and abuse at every turn, and they illegally claim not to be the rightful employer of nearly half their workforce."

On the other hand, an Amazon representative said that Teamsters have continued to mislead the public over the last year.

"The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union," said Amazon's Eileen Hards. 

Teamsters represents more than 1.3 million workers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. They are currently working to secure an increase in wages and improved benefits and working conditions. 

Employees at several Illinois and New York City sites have also authorized similar strikes.